After the new house was built, the smell lingered for five or six days before finally dissipating.


    To speed up the process, a brazier was used to burn firewood in the house for a few more days.


    Li He couldn''t wait to arrange for his mother, elder sister, and two younger sisters to move in.


    The summer heat was high and dry, eliminating any moisture in the house.


    There was no need for paint—the walls were simply coated with quicklime and lead powder, ensuring that no harmful formaldehyde was present.


    It didn’t need to face the sea, but it could certainly achieve the beauty of spring flowers.


    A carpenter was hired to make two new large beds—one placed in the east room and the other in the west room.


    The middle room was used for the dining table and sundries, and no one lived there.


    Li Mei shared the east room with the fourth child.


    Wang Yulan slept in the west room with the little girl.


    The brothers, Li He and Li Long, continued living in the old room, each occupying a separate space.


    Finally, the family had a more spacious living arrangement.


    However, the back wall of the mud house was already on the verge of collapsing and would need to be demolished sooner or later.


    It was a rural custom to hold a banquet when moving into a new house.


    Li He found it unnecessary and said,


    "Mother, it''s not a big deal. Why should we rely on personal connections?


    My university admission letter will arrive soon. If you want to hold a banquet, we can do it together then.


    At noon, we can just set up a table for ourselves and invite Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle."


    Li Mei also found it troublesome.


    Besides, with their father absent, managing social interactions would be difficult.


    Wang Yulan had initially wanted to host a banquet to show off, knowing that no other house in the village was as spacious as theirs.


    The neighbors would envy her two sons’ capabilities.


    But seeing her children’s determination, she relented.


    Lunch was extravagant, featuring a feast of main dishes:


    Chicken, duck, fish, braised pork, scrambled eggs with leeks, loach noodles, dumplings, and hen stewed with dried radish.


    Grandma, Wang Yulan, Li Mei, and the two aunts busied themselves in the kitchen.


    Some added fuel to the fire, others chopped vegetables, some cooked—each had their role.


    Though the kitchen was uncovered, the stove was newly built with red bricks, replacing the old earth stove that became filthy when wet.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    A few men sat at the door chatting, while a group of children sniffed the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen, leaning against the door in anticipation of the meal.


    Li He''s second uncle, Li Zhaoming, had three children, with the eldest, Li Dong, being only eighteen years old.


    His youngest uncle, Li Zhaohui, had two children, with the eldest, Li Yan, being only fourteen.


    Li He had few personal memories of his two aunts.


    Mostly, he recalled Wang Yulan complaining about how they mistreated her when she was younger, never treating her as their sister-in-law.


    It was common for sisters-in-law to have conflicts.


    However, in later years, when Wang Yulan stayed in the countryside, these two aunts frequently sent her meat and vegetables and helped with cooking when she was unwell.


    After experiencing two lifetimes, Li He saw things more clearly.


    He harbored no resentment.


    Women at the bottom of society, struggling to survive, were shaped by their era. It wasn’t their fault.


    When the food was served, the adults gathered around the table.


    Children eagerly climbed onto small chairs, stuffing their mouths full of greasy delights.


    For these poor kids, eating meat was a rare occasion.


    Having worked closely with Li He and Li Long, Li Zhaoming no longer saw them as mere children.


    Li He, in particular, was strict in words and actions, earning even his uncle’s respect.


    Besides, after following the two brothers, he had earned over 100 yuan and often received cigarettes and alcohol from them.


    So today, he brought a bottle of Lao Yingjia wine, which cost 1 yuan—a gesture he wouldn’t have dared before.


    Li He didn’t hesitate to open the bottle.


    He first poured a glass for Li Fucheng, then for his two uncles, and even for Dazhuang and Li Long.


    Raising his cup, he said,


    "Grandpa, let’s drink together. You’ve worked hard these past few days."


    Li Fucheng didn’t hesitate. He picked up the cup and swallowed the liquor in one gulp, not even flinching.


    Grandma chuckled and said,


    "You kid, you''ve read a few books and now you’re talking nonsense.


    He''s your grandfather—of course, he should work hard for you!"


    Although she teased, she was inwardly pleased.


    Her eldest grandson understood gratitude, making all her efforts feel worthwhile.


    Grandma enjoyed soaking her rice in water, pouring boiling water into her bowl halfway through the meal.


    The old man disapproved, saying it would hurt her stomach, but she simply nodded and continued eating her way.


    Li He refilled Li Fucheng’s glass, then his own, before clinking glasses with his two uncles and Dazhuang.


    Li Zhaoming placed a piece of chicken in Li He’s bowl and advised,


    "Don’t drink too much—eat some food."


    After dinner, Li He was about to prepare tea when he suddenly heard a tapping sound in the distance.


    When he went to check, he found a popsicle vendor.


    The seller carried a simple insulated box made of foam boards, containing only two kinds of popsicles, covered tightly with cotton pads.


    A plain popsicle cost 2 cents, while a cream popsicle was 1 cent.


    In reality, they were just frozen sugar water with a slight flavor, but they still tasted delicious.


    Li He quickly bought twenty popsicles.


    The children were overjoyed, yet reluctant to eat them quickly.


    Instead, they placed them in cups and licked them slowly, savoring the moment.


    During this busy period, Li He was so exhausted that he fell asleep immediately after taking a shower.


    One afternoon, he dozed off under the shade of a tree and had a vague dream about his wife.


    He tried to recall her youthful features.


    The tattered clothes, her long hair—those memories left the deepest impression on him.


    He could only sleep peacefully when she was by his side.


    When would he find that peace again?


    In his heart, he whispered,


    "I miss you. I really miss you."


    Whenever he was alone, he wished she were still there.


    He had grown so used to her presence that life felt incomplete without her.


    Love was meant to last a lifetime.


    Li He didn’t understand why he was suddenly reborn.


    It felt like a story from "A Chinese Odyssey"—he found the beginning but couldn’t predict the ending.


    He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and took a long drag—only to choke on the smoke.


    Cigarettes were his only solace.


    After finishing half a pack, he finally felt a little better and took a simple shower by the well.


    Thinking about seeing his wife again in September made him both nervous and excited.


    Falling in love with her again in this life was exhilarating.


    In their past life, he had never said sweet words to her, never uttered "I love you."


    There were no flowers, no chocolates, no diamond rings.


    They had come together without vows, without material wealth.


    As for rebirth and forming a harem—Li He had no interest.


    In his eighteen-year-old body resided the soul of a nearly sixty-year-old man.


    To him, his wife was the best, and that was enough.